The new War Powers Resolution just gained two Republican votes, and the Trump administration has itself to blame.
Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, and Rand Paul of Kentucky both signaled their support for the resolution, which would force Trump to seek congressional authorization if hostilities toward Iran continue past 30 days, after leaving a briefing with administration officials. The briefing was “the worst” Lee said he’s seen, “at least on a military issue.”
The crux of Lee’s complaint has to do with the administration’s attempt to stifle debate. Questioning Trump’s constitutional authority will only “embolden” Iran, officials told the senators, according to Lee. “I find this insulting and demeaning … to the office that each of the 100 senators in this building happens to hold. I find it insulting and demeaning to the Constitution of the United States,” he said.
.@SenMikeLee
: “It is not acceptable for officials within the executive branch of government…to come in and tell us that we can’t debate and discuss the appropriateness of military intervention against Iran. It’s un-American. It’s unconstitutional and it’s wrong.” pic.twitter.com/fVSE6b3EM0— CSPAN (@cspan) January 8, 2020
“After today, every time they pull a stunt like this, I’m willing to consider and introduce any and every war powers act resolution,” Lee added.
Lee’s frustration is understandable and even warranted if the administration tried to scold Republicans into silence. The situation in Iran is complex, and so are the opinions on it — especially within the GOP, which houses pro-interventionists such as Lindsey Graham and strict libertarians such as Paul. That’s why debate is necessary. There cannot be a concise, agreed-upon strategy until both sides are heard, and the administration’s attempt to force a uniform opinion has clearly had the opposite effect.
Now, Lee and Paul will vote for the Senate’s war powers resolution. It’s unclear how many other Republicans support it, but Lee’s frustration could ripple through the rest of the party. And that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. The executive branch has operated abroad unchecked for far too long. It would behoove Congress to limit its influence.
The substance of the resolution isn’t a problem, but the reason it was introduced amounts to nothing more than political theater. Democrats have accused Trump of abusing his power and subverting Congress’s authority by ordering the killing of terrorist and Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. This accusation is not true, as my colleague Tom Rogan explains here.
Democrats would like to think this is a Trump problem. It isn’t. It’s an institutional problem, one that can be traced back to former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and just about every president before them. Congress is partially responsible. The legislature has been gradually giving its powers to the executive branch for decades, and only now that Trump is in office does it suddenly want them back.
With that said, we should take checks and balances anywhere we can get them. The motivations might be partisan, but the result would be a restoration of constitutional authority. So, Lee is right to be upset. The other Republicans should be, too.
